Pastor, I Am Gay

by Howard H. Bess

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0964412306
• ISBN13: 9780964412309
• Release Date: January 1995
• Publisher: Palmer Publishing Company
• Length: 221 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Bess becomes "as a little child" rather than know-it-all

Author Howard Bess glorifies Christ in his self-effacement and willingness to be a learner rather than a teacher in the ministry that led to the writing of this book. In so doing, he becomes a master teacher, approaching this difficult issue of homosexuality and the church with wisdom that can come only from listening to the heart of God, his own heart and the hearts of those among whom he ministers. This book takes problems experienced by the gay men and lesbians Bess has known with appropriate seriousness, yet he is discerning in distinguishing between problems that relate to their humanness and those that relate to their sexuality. This book can be a wonderful focus for adult study groups in churches, for gay men and lesbians, for families dealing with a loved one having "come out" and for anyone with a curiosity about the subject.

A must-read for clergy and counselors!

Like the author Howard Bess, I too am an American Baptist Pastor. I felt that his research and documentation concerning gay and lesbian persons was well done. He distilled volumes of research written in this area into easy-to-read and discernable chapters. As an evangelical Christian who advocates on their behalf, his perspective on gay and lesbian people sheds new light from an arena that has previously only been scathing and judgmental. I found his book honest, refreshing, and excellent scholarship. It has helped to answer many of my own questions. I especially enjoyed his use of narrative to effectively illustrate his "tentative conclusions." (His phrase, not mine.) I applaud him for writing this much needed book! I especially recommend it to clergy and counselors who minister to homosexual people. I pray more people can benefit from God's love and grace as a result of this book.

A loving look at a misunderstood minority.

A Baptist minister challenges Christian churches to re-examine their ideas and prejudices and to look at gays and lesbians as the human beings they are, as diverse a group as any others. He looks at the scriptures long used to justify the judgment and discrimination the churches use against these people, and then suggest ways in which the church and its members can begin to right some of the wrongs done in its name. This book should be read by all who call themselves Christians.

"Best Choice" for a basic understanding of scripture.

As a mother of a gay son, I was challenged to reach an understanding of Biblical passages which, on the surface, present religious reasons against homosexuality. This book is an easily read, straightforward look at a difficult subject written by an evangelical Baptist minister.